Lincoln, Abraham (1809-65) 16th President of the United States (1861-65). Document Signed as President of the United States, vellum, 19 x 15½ in., Washington, June 12, 1862. Appointing Green Clay Smith Brigadier General of Volunteers, to rank from June 11th. Countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Docketed at upper left by General Lorenzo Thomas. Pale blue seal of the War Office is intact.
At lower right is a notation dated July 1872 stating, "This Commission is a trophy of war found in Gen G C Smith's tent at Lexington Kentucky by Major John Thomas O'Brien of the staff of General Kirby Smith commanding the Confederate forces occupying Lexington after the retreat from that City of the Federal Army. The widow of Major O'Brien now on a visit to Scotland has placed it in possession of James Smith…her uncle." Fine condition.
On May 5, 1862, G.C. Smith, then Col. of the 4th Kentucky Cavalry, took part in the rout of John Hunt Morgan's forces at Lebanon, Tennessee. Because of his part in defeating the celebrated Confederate raider, Smith was promoted to Brigadier General, but on August 31, 1862, Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith's forces captured Lexington, Kentucky, and this commission, which is mentioned in
Generals in Blue by Ezra J. Warner, page 457, was captured. G.C. Smith was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 and resigned his army commission on Dec. 4, 1863.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
U.S. Presidents